Archive for the ‘Vintage Dolls’ Category

Vintage Doll Clothes

by Sandy | No Comments | Filed in Vintage Dolls, vintage doll clothes

Vintage doll collectors like to match the appropriate vintage clothes and costumes to their finds. Moreover, if you know where to hunt, you can find clothes, costumes, and patterns for dolls ranging from the turn to the 20th Century through the late century, and for unusual, obscure, or one-of-a-kind souvenir dolls.

In fact, the United Federation of Doll Clubs, through its online shopping service, even offers a dress pattern designed to fit a doll custom-made for its 1982 convention. This is a doll struck in honor and a replica of Rose O’Neill, the Ladies Home Journal illustrator whose Cupid images, based on a peculiar dream she had in the wake of her second divorce, led to her creation of the Kewpie doll.

Vintage doll clothing and patterns, particularly the Walker Dolls line (Saucy Walker, Toni, Mary Hoyer, Sweet Sue, Betsy McCall), but also such memorable dolls as Patti Playpal, Alexanderkins, Ginny, Miss Revlon, Patsy, Terri Lee, Thumbelina, Tiny Tears, and the once-famous dolls struck in honor of child film star Shirley Temple, can be found or reproduced with a little diligence.

Perhaps needless to say, one of the more popular vintage doll clothes/pattern targets is Barbie. Clothes, patterns, and even the vintage legendary fashion dolls themselves—both Barbie and her related fashion dolls (Ken, Skipper, Midge, etc.)—are available through multiple outlets.

Some of the more sought-after offerings include vintage clothing sets as Barbie in Mexico, Barbie-Q, Barbie in Holland, Candy Striper, Enchanted Evening, Barbie Commuter, Orange Blossom, Senior Prom, Sheath Sensation, and almost infinite more.
BARBIE DOLL CLOTHES ORIGINAL AND VINTAGE 50S OR 60S
BARBIE DOLL CLOTHES ORIGINAL AND VINTAGE 50S OR 60S
Paypal   US $4.99 		New Fashion Clothes Dress for Vintage Barbie Doll BC24
New Fashion Clothes Dress for Vintage Barbie Doll BC24
Paypal   US $.99 		Lot of Vintage Topper Dawn Dolls Clothing
Lot of Vintage Topper Dawn Dolls Clothing
Paypal   US $8.50
Vintage Doll Clothes Pattern for Ginny Muffie Wendy 3
Vintage Doll Clothes Pattern for Ginny Muffie Wendy 3
Paypal   US $18.50 		Vintage Doll Clothes Pattern for Ginny Muffie Wendy 2
Vintage Doll Clothes Pattern for Ginny Muffie Wendy 2
Paypal   US $6.99 		Vintage Barbie Blue Green Jumpsuit Fashion Doll Clothes
Vintage Barbie Blue Green Jumpsuit Fashion Doll Clothes
Paypal   US $6.99
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Cleaning vintage doll clothes is easier than you think.  NOTE:  Try this at your own risk!  Some old doll clothing may be more delicate than others. In a container such as an empty gallon ice cream bucket or coffee bucket, add an eighth cup of Woolite or quarter cup of Dreft to a gallon of cold water; then, rub some on a piece of doll clothing and rinse and dry to test the fabric. Soak each item individually, then wash in a single batch, separated by colors as you would regular laundry, then let soak for an hour and repeat the process before rinsing completely in cold water. Blot excess water with a towel, then let dry out of sunlight and not in a powered dryer. Iron these on medium settings before storing the items or returning them to the dolls.

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The Vintage Kewpie Doll

by Sandy | No Comments | Filed in Doll Collecting, Vintage Dolls
Vintage Kewpie Doll

Vintage Kewpie Doll

The Kewpie doll has been with us since 1909, more or less. In that year, comical illustrations of their inspirations first appeared by Rose O’Neill in the Ladies’ Home Journal—who once said dreams of little Cupids, during the aftermath of her second divorce, prompted her to draw the images in the first place. Three years later, the little dolls first produced of bisque and celluloid in the German toymaking town of Ohrdruf, and recognizable almost at once for their trademark curl of hair at the very top of their heads, were based on the O’Neill images and authorized by O’Neill herself.

By 1939, Kewpie was considered worthy of inclusion in the famous New York World’s Fair time capsule; by 1949, Kewpie was graduated to hard plastic, courtesy first of the Effanbee Company. Kewpie even turned up in one of the most harrowing documents of the Holocaust—Anne Frank received a Kewpie as a gift from Miep Gies and Elisabeth Voskuijl (Otto Frank’s secretary) while the Frank family was hidden from the Nazis, and Anne mentioned the gift in her diary.


Today, vintage Kewpie dolls are considered highly collectible and worth up to the thousands, but many of them can be found in excellent condition for prices at $200 or less. Various sellers on eBay offer several vintage Kewpies for such prices, but some are a little more expensive—including at least one hard-to-find Kewpie painted in black skin and made between 1920 and 1930.  A doll such as this might go for five to six hundred dollars.

One of the larger Kewpies prized by collectors is a 27-inch Cameo Kewpie doll, made in 1966 of all vinyl with clean if slightly stretched clothes, a little scuffing on her shoe bottoms, but paint in good condition and no stains or other marks noticeable on her body. Such a doll recently sold on another site for $275.

However, to many if not most Kewpie collectors, the dolls made between the 1920s and the 1930s are the prizes of the hunt. These eleven-inch dolls, made of composition, are hard enough to find as it is, but if you find one with its original box—even harder to find than the doll itself, it could drive the price into the neighborhood of $475 for the complete package.
Vintage Kewpie Doll Winking Boxing Gloves Adorable Old
Vintage Kewpie Doll Winking Boxing Gloves Adorable Old
Paypal   US $9.99 		CAMEO Kewpie 13 Doll Vintage Original 1965
CAMEO Kewpie 13 Doll Vintage Original 1965
Paypal   US $13.51 		Vintage 1950s Collectable Celluloid Kewpie Doll
Vintage 1950s Collectable Celluloid Kewpie Doll
Paypal   US $10.04
VINTAGE BISQUE KEWPIE DOLL LAMPFILIGREE CERAMIC BASE
VINTAGE BISQUE KEWPIE DOLL LAMPFILIGREE CERAMIC BASE
Paypal   US $12.99 		VINTAGE IRWIN KEWPIE DOLL TYPE TWIN DOLLS BOY AND GIRL
VINTAGE IRWIN KEWPIE DOLL TYPE TWIN DOLLS BOY AND GIRL
Paypal   US $.99 		LOT OF 12 VINTAGE DOLLS UNEEDA PEEWEE UNIQUE KEWPIE
LOT OF 12 VINTAGE DOLLS UNEEDA PEEWEE UNIQUE KEWPIE
Paypal   US $10.50
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You may see Kewpies turning up at various antique toy shops and collectors’ gatherings, but there is one no-questions-asked way to tell you are getting a truly vintage Kewpie, especially from their earliest heights of popularity: the red heart chest patch says “KEWPIE: Des. & Copyright by Rose O’Neill.”

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Vintage Ginny Dolls

by Sandy | No Comments | Filed in Doll Collecting, Vintage Dolls

Vintage Ginny dolls are almost always a popular find on eBay.  The classic doll enjoyed immense popularity during the 1950s and became the standard against which many other 8 inch dolls were compared.  As such, if you are building a collection, you need to watch out for "Ginny Style" dolls which some may try to pass off as an authentic Ginny.


Jennie Adler Graves founded the Vogue Doll Shoppe back in 1922.  Over the years she remained a strong player in the doll business.  In the 1950s though, Ginny hit the scene and really caught on with the doll buying public.  Although other named dolls were introduced during the early fifties, Ginny is the name that stuck and the doll went on to gain in popularity through the decade.

Mrs. Graves did not give in to the pressure to switch to using a vinyl head when other dolls were switching over in the early 50s.  Instead, she kept the hard plastic head and introduced a walking Ginny in 1954 to keep interest in the doll high.

Ginny went through some modifications as the fifties progressed, but still remained very popular.  Her popularity dropped off during the sixties as her core group of fans got a bit older and started getting interested in Barbie and her friends.  Production techniques changed as did ownership of the company.  As a result, Ginny underwent some changes in her look as well.

All Ginny dolls are marked with either "Ginny" or "Vogue".  If you are checking eBay for dolls, be sure to ask for a photo showing this marking.  Once you have determined that you are dealing with an authentic Ginny doll, decide what you are willing to spend to get the doll you want.  Some Ginny dolls can get quite pricey.  Seeing them reach into the high hundreds of dollars is not unusual, and occasionally they can even top the one thousand dollar mark if they are exceptionally rare and in excellent shape.
NEW GINNY DRESS ME AFRICAN AMERICAN DOLL VINTAGE REISSU
NEW GINNY DRESS ME AFRICAN AMERICAN DOLL VINTAGE REISSU
Paypal   US $36.99 		LARGE LOT OF 46 VINTAGE SMALL DOLL CLOTHES GINNY
LARGE LOT OF 46 VINTAGE SMALL DOLL CLOTHES GINNY
Paypal   US $29.30 		PLW 8 GINNY VOGUE Walker Doll VTG DressHatShoes 1955
PLW 8 GINNY VOGUE Walker Doll VTG DressHatShoes 1955
Paypal   US $36.01
STRUNG 8 GINNY VOGUE Doll VTG w DressHatShoes 1953
STRUNG 8 GINNY VOGUE Doll VTG w DressHatShoes 1953
Paypal   US $62.00 		Vintage Vogue Ginny Doll Trunk Clothes Shoes HangersLOT
Vintage Vogue Ginny Doll Trunk Clothes Shoes HangersLOT
Paypal   US $51.00 		Vintage 50s VOGUE Ginny Doll Bo Peep 7
Vintage 50s VOGUE Ginny Doll Bo Peep 7
Paypal   US $152.50
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Cricket Dolls

by Sandy | No Comments | Filed in Doll Collecting, Vintage Dolls

Cricket was one of the popular dolls that came out of the 1980s.  She is not quite as well known as Strawberry Shortcake or the Cabbage Patch Kids, but she does have her own bunch of devoted collectors.


Here are a few Cricket Dolls currently being offered for sale on eBay.
Playmates 1986 Talking Cricket doll electronic w tape
Playmates 1986 Talking Cricket doll electronic w tape
Paypal   US $26.00 		1940 JIMINY CRICKET COMPOSITION DOLL 10 AS FOUND COND
1940 JIMINY CRICKET COMPOSITION DOLL 10 AS FOUND COND
Paypal   US $28.00 		Vintage CRICKET Doll Clubhouse Cassette TAPE 1986
Vintage CRICKET Doll Clubhouse Cassette TAPE 1986
Paypal   US $3.00
8 Vintage Cricket Doll Tapes Working Nice
8 Vintage Cricket Doll Tapes Working Nice
Paypal   US $24.99 		Adorable rare Cricket Sears doll bridesmaid dress etc
Adorable rare Cricket Sears doll bridesmaid dress etc
Paypal   US $27.00 		American Character Tressy Sis Grow Hair Cricket Doll
American Character Tressy Sis Grow Hair Cricket Doll
Paypal   US $9.99
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In my day to day life and in my work, I have many opportunities to speak to large groups of people.  I recently asked one group of interested people to write about a favorite doll they had growing up (or which they wanted for their collection).  I've decided to share some of the responses here.  This particular woman loved her Cricket doll.  I hope you like her story...

My favorite doll growing up was a Cricket Doll. She was amazing, I loved that doll. I got her for Christmas in 1985.  She had a cassette player in the back of her, and her eyes would move from side to side, and lips would move to the music as she sang and talked. She told knock knock jokes, sang songs, and would take you on picnics, and other adventures, she would also tell you a bedtime story.

Cricket was my best friend.  She was my only friend during my childhood.  I was the overweight kid that no one liked, but my Cricket loved me just the way that I was.  She had blonde hair and Shirley Temple curls with pig tales, she wore a skirt and sweater, and had the cutest pair of pink plastic sneaker with yellow socks, if I remember correctly.  I honestly think that she was the best doll of the 80's and I would love for them to come out with another Cricket Doll so my daughter could enjoy her the same way that I did.

You can still find her, but she is very hard to find. I gave the one that I had away to a little girl that was not getting anything for Christmas.  I had already become a teenager, and did not play with Cricket anymore. I always put her on my bed though after I had made it up,  but my heart went out to this little girl, so I gave the doll to her mother to give to her little girl for Christmas.  I hope that the little girl got just as much out of Cricket as I did. I miss Cricket a whole lot. She was the best doll in the whole world, these new dolls that are on the market today, do not even come close to comparing to the Cricket Doll.

Vintage Dolls Home

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Doll Clothes|Vintage Doll Clothes Lots

by Sandy | No Comments | Filed in Doll Collecting, Vintage Dolls

Doll clothes are one of those items that are always in demand. Vintage doll clothes in particular can be tough to find in good used condition.


Often vintage doll clothes show the ravages of time and little girls customizing outfits for their favorite dolls. One great thing about eBay though is that there are people out there with doll clothes that are in outstanding shape, and even if they are half a world away, you can own those clothes within a week (for the right price).

I mentioned in another post that older Barbie accessories have become very popular, but other doll clothing and accessories are also doing well for sellers. When you are looking for doll clothes on eBay, you sometimes have to spend a little bit of time exploring. That is usually pretty good advice for almost anything you might be looking for on eBay. Try typing in every possible combination of words or variations that you can think of for the item or items you are looking for on the site. Some people might include clothes as part of a "lot" and never even mention the word "clothes" in the title. Does that make sense? Well, not really, but remember that people selling their old treasure on eBay are not always professional sellers. Many of them make little "oops" mistakes like that and if you are good at sniffing those listings out, you can save a few bucks. Sometimes a lot more than that!
Lot of Vintage Topper Dawn Dolls Clothing
Lot of Vintage Topper Dawn Dolls Clothing
Paypal   US $8.50 		VINTAGE MIXED LOT DOLL CLOTHES VOGUE GIRL SCOUT SWIMSET
VINTAGE MIXED LOT DOLL CLOTHES VOGUE GIRL SCOUT SWIMSET
Paypal   US $22.40 		LOT vtg Barbie Ken doll clothes shoes cowboy hat mattel
LOT vtg Barbie Ken doll clothes shoes cowboy hat mattel
Paypal   US $.99
LOT VINTAGE BARBIE DOLL CLOTHES
LOT VINTAGE BARBIE DOLL CLOTHES
Paypal   US $3.99 		Lot of 18 pieces Vintage Doll Clothes Mostly Handmade
Lot of 18 pieces Vintage Doll Clothes Mostly Handmade
Paypal   US $9.99 		VINTAGE DOLL CLOTHES ASSORTED MIXED LOT
VINTAGE DOLL CLOTHES ASSORTED MIXED LOT
Paypal   US $2.75
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So, back to doll clothes! Unless you have one or two particular outfits that you simply must have or need to complete a set of some sort, checking out "lots" is almost always the way to go. Many of you are probably much more knowledgeable about the fashions and dolls that are being sold than many of the sellers. That isn't true in all cases, but for someone who just happened across a suitcase filled with old doll clothes and accessories, spending a month researching each item probably is not high on their priority list. If you can look closely and pick out the larger lots than contain hidden gems, you can really make out on a deal. Of course, this selling in lots can be a double edged sword. Some inexperienced sellers will slap the word "vintage" on any item they didn't buy themselves in the past week. This is where your knowledge comes in to play. Feel free to ask questions and request more photos if you feel you need them. Ask the seller about any identifying marks that you would expect to find on what you are looking to purchase. This isn't being a pain in the neck. It is being a smart shopper


So what are some of the current going rates for doll clothes? Well, it all depends on what you are looking for really. I know that is not very helpful, but honestly, I’ve found that eBay pricing is a pretty good indicator of what is popular and what is selling. It can be sort of like a game. In general, I believe you have better chance of finding good deals on eBay than you will going to specialty doll shop. Face it, your odds of finding something amazing that slipped by the shops owner are about nil. On eBay however, you’ve always got a pretty good shot at finding something that interests you that hasn’t been bid up to outrageous amounts yet.

One recent check of eBay listings for doll clothes brought back over 12,500 results. That can sometimes be a little bit confusing because many times people list dolls and clothes together as large lots. If you are only interested in clothing, you will have to look through what is available and pick and choose a bit. One thing you can do to make things a little bit simpler is to use the sorting tools they provide on the left of the screen. Those tools can help you to narrow down what you are looking for by brand, age and a host of other variables. Take a look. You’d be hard pressed to find this many doll clothes available in any other single place and eBay has been working overtime to make the shopping experience user friendly.

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Vintage Strawberry Shortcake Dolls

by Sandy | No Comments | Filed in Doll Collecting, Vintage Dolls

Collectors of vintage Strawberry Shortcake Dolls have a lot to keep track of when they consider their collections. This isn't just because of a wide variety of doll types, but just keeping track of what doll was released with what features can become a bit confusing to a less experienced collector.


Many people think of Strawberry Shortcake as strictly an 80s phenom. That is when her popularity exploded, but the first dolls were actually released in 1979. The five dolls included in that bunch were Strawberry Shortcake herself, a "bad guy" named "Purple Pieman", a baby named "Apple Dumpling", and her friends "Huckleberry Pie" and "Blueberry Muffin". The pets that would become popular additions later were not included in this first issue. Except for Purple Pieman, these very first dolls can be recognized by their flat hands. The later dolls released in this first issue would come out in 1980 and they had hands which were in a curled or curved shape. Rounding out the first lot are "Orange Blossom", "Raspberry Tart", "Lemon Meringue" and "Apricot".

The dolls gained in popularity and later editions added new characters to the Strawberry Shortcake family of dolls. The values of these is often dependent upon what issue they are, what particular character they are, and of course, the condition of the doll itself.
Vintage Strawberry Shortcake Orange Blossom Doll 1983
Vintage Strawberry Shortcake Orange Blossom Doll 1983
Paypal   US $19.99 		HUGE Vintage Strawberry Shortcake Doll Lot First Issues
HUGE Vintage Strawberry Shortcake Doll Lot First Issues
Paypal   US $24.50 		Huge Lot of Strawberry Shortcake Dolls Figures vintage
Huge Lot of Strawberry Shortcake Dolls Figures vintage
Paypal   US $9.99
Vintage Strawberry Shortcake Doll fashions MOC 1981 8
Vintage Strawberry Shortcake Doll fashions MOC 1981 8
Paypal   US $9.99 		Vintage Strawberry Shortcake Pals Doll Clothing TLC
Vintage Strawberry Shortcake Pals Doll Clothing TLC
Paypal   US $8.50 		1979 Vintage Strawberry Shortcake ADA Twin Doll No VDS
1979 Vintage Strawberry Shortcake ADA Twin Doll No VDS
Paypal   US $.99
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I came across this commercial on YouTube.  This particular commercial aired in 1981.  This was near the start of it all!

Today, having one of the more rare dolls from the Strawberry Shortcake line of dolls could be worth some money. I like to look at eBay as a way of judging the monetary value of many dolls because it is a real world example of what people are willing to pay for a particular vintage doll (or any collectible really). A 1985 Banana Twirl Berrykin recently sold for $415 complete with all of its papers and mint in box. That was the top recent seller as I'm looking. The average selling price for a vintage Strawberry Shortcake doll out of all the recently listed dolls was much lower. It was just around $24.

If you are looking for value, the Strawberry Shortcake dolls are one of the dolls more likely to be sold off in larger lots. Many people seem to list them in these larger groupings and this can be a way to save significant amounts of money if you are willing to make the one time investment. It is possible that you might be able to patiently watch and wait for extremely low priced dolls to appear and then manage to win them, but usually, checking out these dolls that are being sold in lots is a pretty good strategy for building a collection.

During the time period that I checked, the busiest day of the week for Strawberry Shortcake dolls to end at auction seemed to be Thursday.  Wednesday had much less competition among bidders and sellers.  You might want to check that out.

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Shirley Temple Dolls

by Sandy | No Comments | Filed in Celebrity Dolls, Vintage Dolls

It is pretty amazing how one little girl could have such an influence on so many people, but Shirley Temple really pulled it off.


Shirley Temple dolls have stood the test of time and are still very popular.  Many collectors specialize just in Shirley dolls.  It is amazing how popular Shirley Temple dolls still are today.  I say that with the utmost respect.  What a little girl Shirley must have been.  During the dark days of the depression, she helped people to find a way to smile and gave them some relief from their troubles.  She grew up to be a wife, mother and even a delegate for the United States!
Shirley Temple doll Ideal composition 18 original 1930
Shirley Temple doll Ideal composition 18 original 1930
Paypal   US $162.50 		DRESS FOR SHIRLEY TEMPLE 1957 IDEAL12 ORG DOLL DRESS
DRESS FOR SHIRLEY TEMPLE 1957 IDEAL12 ORG DOLL DRESS
Paypal   US $14.99 		Shirley Temple Doll by Ideal 12 with Stand HangTag
Shirley Temple Doll by Ideal 12 with Stand HangTag
Paypal   US $9.95
IDEAL SHIRLEY TEMPLE DOLL 1982 8
IDEAL SHIRLEY TEMPLE DOLL 1982 8
Paypal   US $12.99 		8 Shirley Temple Doll Collectors Doll Series
8 Shirley Temple Doll Collectors Doll Series
Paypal   US $1.25 		Vintage Ideal 1982 Shirley Temple Collectable Doll
Vintage Ideal 1982 Shirley Temple Collectable Doll
Paypal   US $5.99
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Vintage Shirley Temple dolls are now very collectible.  The earliest ones were made of all composition.  This doesn't really stand the test of time as well as some other doll materials which makes it more likely that any that you might come across will have some cracking or crazing.  I just mention this because as you browse you have to realize that the people listing items may use terms describing the doll's condition relative to what would be expected of other similar dolls with the same makeup.

Shirley Temple dolls have continued to be manufactured since she burst upon the scene in the 1930s.  As doll making techniques have changed, so have the Shirley dolls.  Besides the earliest composition dolls, you may also find the vintage Shirley Temple dolls made up of a mix of composition and cloth, vinyl or porcelain.  The later, porcelain dolls are made pretty much with just collectors in mind.  There were also Shirley Temple paper dolls made that are popular among collectors of paper dolls.

Here is one of Shirley Temple's more famous scenes that I found on YouTube...


Checking the most recent auction results, the highest price paid for a vintage Shirley Temple doll was . That particular doll was an 11 inch Ideal composition doll with tin eyes. It was in very nice condition without crazing or cracks and was complete with its entire cowgirl outfit and accessories (except for a missing scarf). The average sale price for a vintage Shirley Temple doll on eBay has been around seventy dollars. Keep in mind that there can be a huge range of prices here though depending on rarity, condition, how many people are interested and such. Just a tip for potential buyers, it looks like there wass a bit of a lull in bidding on Wednesday nights, so if you don't have your eye on one particular doll, you may want to check out listings that end during that time to see if you can beat out the light competition. Of course, if you are looking at "buy it now" items, that really won't apply.
Checking the most recent auction results, the highest price paid for a vintage Shirley Temple doll was      .  That particular doll was an 11 inch Ideal composition doll with tin eyes.  It was in very nice condition without crazing or cracks and was complete with its entire cowgirl outfit and accessories (except for a missing scarf).  The average sale price for a vintage Shirley Temple doll on eBay has been around seventy dollars.  Keep in mind that there can be a huge range of prices here though depending on rarity, condition, how many people are interested and such.  Just a tip for potential buyers, it looks like there was a bit of a lull in bidding on Wednesday nights, so if you don't have your eye on one particular doll, you may want to check out listings that end during that time to see if you can beat out the light competition.  Of course, if you are looking at "buy it now" items, that really won't apply.  eBay is an outstanding place to find vintage dolls, but you can improve your results as a buyer and lower your ending bids if you use a little bit of strategy too!

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Bubble Cut Barbie

by Sandy | No Comments | Filed in Vintage Dolls, vintage Barbie dolls

The Bubble Cut Barbie was a Barbie doll that reflected the popular hairstyles of the 1960s. 


The bouffant hairdo worn by the 11.5 inch Barbie was available between the years of 1961 and 1967.  During this time, Barbie fans could still purchase Swirl Barbie and Ponytail Barbie but many thousands of Bubble Cuts were bought up and collected while they were available.

Here are a few Bubble Cut Tidbits for you:

  • The Bubble Cut Barbies were produced in large numbers and with a wide variety of different lips colors and shades of hair.  This variety makes them an interesting choice for collectors because the same basic doll has so many different looks.
  • Production Bubble Cut Barbies were constructed with arms and legs that were not designed to bend.
  • The dolls produced during the first year of production seem to have still been getting some kinks ironed out.  The plastic used gave them an oily looking complexion and this was corrected in later Bubble Cut dolls.
  • After 1961 Bubble Cut dolls also go bigger hair and larger heads.  It's hard work being beautiful.

Not all Bubble Cut Barbie Dolls are created equal.  There are some models worth more to collectors than others.  This is due mostly to the scarcity of the particular dolls.  One popular, but hard to find model is the bubble cut with a side part in her hair.  This is not a style accomplished by just brushing the hair over.  The part was actually stitched in to the dolls' scalps.

Another distinction between bubbles that can affect their value is their coloration.  Bubbles with nearly white lips are a much sought after prize.  These lips are found on "White Ginger Bubbles".  The hair on these models is a very pale shade of blonde.  These come up from time to time on eBay.  One recently sold for exactly $100 in very good condition.
2 1960s Barbie Bubble Cut Heads
2 1960s Barbie Bubble Cut Heads
Paypal   US $12.28 		Stunning BIG Hair Brunette BUBBLE CUT Barbie Doll
Stunning BIG Hair Brunette BUBBLE CUT Barbie Doll
Paypal   US $57.55 		Lovely BIG Hair Red Head Titian BUBBLE CUT Barbie Doll
Lovely BIG Hair Red Head Titian BUBBLE CUT Barbie Doll
Paypal   US $39.09
Lovely Vintage Ginger Ale Blonde Bubble Cut Barbie Doll
Lovely Vintage Ginger Ale Blonde Bubble Cut Barbie Doll
Paypal   US $29.88 		Barbie Doll Vintage 1958 with Original Box Bubble Cut
Barbie Doll Vintage 1958 with Original Box Bubble Cut
Paypal   US $47.99 		VINTAGE BARBIE REDHEAD BUBBLE CUT BARBIE DOLL
VINTAGE BARBIE REDHEAD BUBBLE CUT BARBIE DOLL
Paypal   US $9.99
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As I mentioned, the prices can show a decent bit of variation.  One good thing about eBay is that sometimes you will see dolls slip through at lower than expected prices either due to poor timing on the part of the seller or because it just so happens that the right buyers didn't happen to notice a doll.  A mint bubble cut doll, still in her box, might bring over $300.  If you are looking for dolls that can stand a little bit of work, you probably won't have to go over one hundred.  The middle ground would be the dolls in nice shape but not mint in box.

A check of recent Bubble Cuts sold on eBay showed a high end price of $399 for a 1961 Titian Bubblecut Barbie #850.  It was in outstanding condition with all of its accessories and the original box.  It by far was the most expensive bubble sold recently when I checked.  Most others that were in very good to excellent condition sold for between $100 and $200 on the site.

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Doll Collecting on a Budget

by Sandy | No Comments | Filed in Doll Collecting, Vintage Dolls

You don't have to spend a ton of money on collecting dolls.  There are, of course, different types of doll collectors, but unless your goal is to only purchase the most exclusive and/or rare dolls you can find, there is not any reason that you can't find a nice collectible doll for a price that keeps you within your budget.


It is really up to you how you are going to decide to spend your "doll money" to build your collection.  Do you want to save up and get one really special doll, or do you prefer to buy more of the lower priced dolls?  If you are going for the lower priced dolls, are you trying to get your hands on the ones that will gain value over time?

There are a lot of questions you could ask yourself as you build your collection, but I think it is really much more important that you enjoy the collecting experience.

If you have the patience, you can go out on your own in search of collectible dolls.  This can be a bit of work though.  It usually involves some leg work, contacting people you don't know and sometimes even digging and rummaging through estate merchandise.  This method can be a challenge but the results can be rewarding.  I'll write more about this in another post.

Vintage Barbie Doll

Vintage Barbie Doll

Most people will choose to simply purchase the dolls they want to collect.  You can find a lot of great dolls for between $100 - $400 dollars.  Sure, this can be pricey, but if you are willing to cut out some other frivolous spending, you may be surprised at how quickly you can save up $100.

One quick tip for those collectors who are working on a budget is to talk to any friends you might have who enjoy frequenting garage sales or estate sales.  Take them out to lunch to get their attention and then tell them about the kinds of dolls you collect.  Ask them if they would be willing to keep an eye open for you when they hit their sales.  I do go to a lot of these sales, and I've been surprised at some of the old and rare items I've found at them.  To improve your odds even more, have your friend specifically ask if they are selling what you collect.  Many times people having a yard sale will only put out newer things because they think (mistakenly) that no one would want their old stuff.  Hey, asking doesn't cost a dime!

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Who Collects Dolls?

by Sandy | No Comments | Filed in Doll Collecting, Vintage Dolls

Who is Collecting Dolls Today?

Anyone can collect dolls.  It isn't just for little girls and old women anymore.  Although there are certainly a lot of females with a strong interest in doll collecting, now that it has grown into a business of sorts, men are also becoming more heavily involved in the collecting of dolls.

There is a common image of doll collecting being more of a feminine hobby.  Surely this is because it is a lot more common for little girls to openly play with dolls than it is for boys.  Little girls playing with their Barbie dolls is something you expect to see, and do see often.  Many parents would even discourage their young sons from "playing dolls" unless the toy was an "action figure" molded into shapes designed to maime and destroy.  Left to their own devices, many little boys enjoy playing with any doll they come across because they just like pretending and using their imaginations.  Most times, boys seem to outgrow the doll phase but it really is not a bad thing if they develop an appreciation for collecting them.

As I mentioned above, the collecting of dolls has become a serious business for some people.  Buying and selling dolls can be quite lucrative if you know what you are doing.  I'm sure that many people selling dolls on eBay are men.  Most likely they have not been holding on to some cherished doll since childhood.  They probably purchased it at a yard sale or auction and have decided to make it available for collectors more interested in the dolls themselves than in making a profit for them.

There are many men who now lament the loss of their prized GI Joe collections that may have been lost to abuse and damage or, in many cases, given away by parents to younger relatives or friends of the family.  They look now on eBay and see how much their collections would have been worth and just moan, thinking of possibly thousands of dollars worth of collectible figures that were simply given away back in the days before eBay made everyone aware of the collectibles market.

Collecting dolls is not necessarily the same as playing with dolls.  Actually, many doll collectors would never dream of letting their dolls get into the hands of a child who would use them to start acting out an adventure that could damage or de-value the doll.  Dolls are collected and often displayed in ways that show them off, but keep them protected as much as possible.  The types of dolls being preserved may be different, but the demographics of doll collecting reaches across the gender lines.

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Michael Jackson Dolls

by Sandy | No Comments | Filed in Celebrity Dolls, Vintage Dolls

Michael Jackson dolls are enjoying an amazing resurgence in popularity as collectors battle to scoop up memorabilia as quickly they can.


With the sad passing of Michael Jackson at the age of fifty, Americans who can remember his unprecedented explosion on the pop scene are clamoring for Michael Jackson memorabilia. One of the popular items people are grabbing up quickly, is the Michael Jackson doll. It is hard to believe that these dolls actually are pushing the "vintage" category. Certainly they aren't as rare as an original Barbie, but they are pushing the thirty year mark and many have no doubt been lost to the cleaning purges that so often happen when kids grow up and lose interest in the idols of their pre-teen and teenage years. The dolls came in a variety of packages and featured items like the well known glove and socks that were worn by the singer on stage and in his music videos.
Michael Jackson Paper Dolls Commemorative Ed 1958 2009
Michael Jackson Paper Dolls Commemorative Ed 1958 2009
Paypal   US $10.50 		MICHAEL JACKSON 1984 VINTAGE THRILLER DOLL NIB
MICHAEL JACKSON 1984 VINTAGE THRILLER DOLL NIB
Paypal   US $51.00 		Shoes For Michael Jackson Doll AUTHENIC 1984
Shoes For Michael Jackson Doll AUTHENIC 1984
Paypal   US $2.75
Rare Billie Jean Shirt Michael Jackson Doll 1984 New
Rare Billie Jean Shirt Michael Jackson Doll 1984 New
Paypal   US $15.00 		1984 MJJ Prod MICHAEL JACKSON DOLL AMA Jointed Knees
1984 MJJ Prod MICHAEL JACKSON DOLL AMA Jointed Knees
Paypal   US $13.50 		Michael Jackson doll
Michael Jackson doll
Paypal   US $36.00
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The dolls are just the beginning though.  Since his untimely death, tens of thousands of auctions have sprung up offering every imaginable piece of Michael Jackson memorabilia.  Of course albums are a huge seller.  They were being collected anyway.  But other suddenly popular collectibles include t-shirts, concert programs, posters, concert ticket stubs, and pins.

Seeing a flood of memorabilia for sale after a stars death is not uncommon, but middle aged fans of Michael Jackson are not that far removed from the glory days that included the meteoric rise of the Thriller album to the top of the charts.  They are scrambling to grab up as many relics as they can to memorialize the "King of Pop" as they are forced to deal with their own mortality.  "Thriller" and "Beat it" dolls that are still in their original boxes are being snapped up at a record rate by these fans and other doll collectors who enjoy collecting celebrity dolls.

Although he was not in the spotlight quite as much in recent years, Michael Jackson is obviously still appreciated by his fans and his immeasurably huge influence upon the pop music scene will be felt for years to come.

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Doll Collecting

by Sandy | No Comments | Filed in Doll Collecting, Vintage Dolls

People collect all sorts of things. Take a look in eBay's collectibles category some time and you might be surprised at some of the things you will find. One of the enduring favorites however, is the collectible doll.


Doll collecting has grown into one of the largest hobbies around today. Estimates vary, but it is generally accepted that collecting dolls is one of the top five collecting hobbies around. People collect dolls for a variety of reasons. Many people start collecting dolls when they're young either because they are given collectible dolls as gifts or because they just develop in interest on their own.
VINTAGE BARBIE 3 OSS OS 2 DRESSES BEAUTIFUL DOLL
VINTAGE BARBIE 3 OSS OS 2 DRESSES BEAUTIFUL DOLL
Paypal   US $60.56 		Vintage Vogue doll 1957 pkg insert catalog ginny jill
Vintage Vogue doll 1957 pkg insert catalog ginny jill
Paypal   US $19.50 		VINTAGE 1970S DAWN SIDE PART GLORI DOLL MIB BY TOPPER
VINTAGE 1970S DAWN SIDE PART GLORI DOLL MIB BY TOPPER
Paypal   US $64.33
Vintage Flatsie Doll
Vintage Flatsie Doll
Paypal   US $8.67 		Vintage BARBIE DOLL CLOTHES WARDROBE Sewing Pattern
Vintage BARBIE DOLL CLOTHES WARDROBE Sewing Pattern
Paypal   US $5.00 		VTG DOLL ORIGINAL CLOTHING HARD PLASTIC 10 IN WORK EYES
VTG DOLL ORIGINAL CLOTHING HARD PLASTIC 10 IN WORK EYES
Paypal   US $27.18
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Although you can spend a lot of money on this hobby, you don't really have to in order to enjoy it. The amount of money you'll end up investing depends a lot on what kind of dolls you are actually collecting. Some people are very happy collecting dolls that remind them of their childhood without any regard to its perceived collectible value. Other people see collecting dolls as a way of making money or investing their money. There are quite a few people that started out as casual collectors and then went on to well paying doll related careers. Some people start as collectors and then move on to design dolls and doll clothing, others act as consultants for other collectors and some stay involved by actually reselling collectible dolls for themselves or other people.

If you are just getting into doll collecting you may want to pick one particular type to start with rather than purchasing "one of everything." One big reason for this is that you can quickly drop a ton of money on collectible dolls if you do not have a focus on any certain type of doll. You can always go back and build your collection later if you decide you like one kind of doll more than another. If you are a shrewd buyer, you might even make some money as you do this.

Purchasing a guide to collectible dolls might be a wise investment as you start your adventures in doll collecting. Even if you do not intend to sell any of your dolls, a quality guide can help you to avoid getting scammed as you purchase dolls and build your collection. Doing a little bit of research can save you a lot of money in the long run.

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The Vintage Barbie Doll

by Sandy | Comments Off | Filed in Vintage Dolls, vintage Barbie dolls

People who collect vintage dolls often specialize in one type of doll or another. 


One of the more popular dolls collected today is the vintage Barbie doll.  Honestly, vintage Barbie dolls have a very strong following of extremely savvy collectors who really know there stuff.   There are quite a few very detailed guides available for serious Barbie collectors who wish to know the exact value of the dolls they own.  These guides are a wise investment for serious collectors as they will include very specific information such as mold numbers and trademark clues that will help to identify a particular vintage Barbie doll that you have in your collection.
Vintage 1 Blonde Barbie Doll
Vintage 1 Blonde Barbie Doll
Paypal   US $2,000.00 		VINTAGE BARBIE MIDGE DOLL 1959 1962 JAPAN on FOOT S L
VINTAGE BARBIE MIDGE DOLL 1959 1962 JAPAN on FOOT S L
Paypal   US $30.00 		HTF Vintage Barbie Doll Outfit CAREER GIRL MintComp
HTF Vintage Barbie Doll Outfit CAREER GIRL MintComp
Paypal   US $27.99
Vintage Ken Allen Dolls in boxes Barbie 1960 nr mt
Vintage Ken Allen Dolls in boxes Barbie 1960 nr mt
Paypal   US $71.00 		Vintage Ponytail Red Head Barbie Doll 1963
Vintage Ponytail Red Head Barbie Doll 1963
Paypal   US $36.55 		VINTAGE BLACK FRANCIE BARBIE DOLL FIRST EDITION
VINTAGE BLACK FRANCIE BARBIE DOLL FIRST EDITION
Paypal   US $76.75
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To truly be considered vintage, Barbie dolls must be from between the years 1959 and 1972.  Other special "collectible" editions of Barbie were released by Mattel later than that, but they are their own story and I may write more about them later.

Prices for the very early Barbie dolls can get quite high.  Values can exceed ten thousand dollars in some cases.  The value of each doll will depend on factors such as the model itself, its condition, and whether or not any type of restoration work has been done to the doll.  If restoration has occurred, the quality of the restoration becomes very important.  The techniques and materials used during the restoration process should be true to the era from which the doll originally came.  The value of a Barbie doll can drop significantly if it has been restored improperly or by inferior means.  There are many Barbie doll collectors who do not want anything to do with restored dolls.  They prefer to pay the extra money required to obtain only original, undamaged Barbies (preferably with the original packing).  Certainly, if you are considering the purchase of a vintage Barbie doll as an investment or as an expensive addition to your collection, you should ask the seller for as many details as possible about the dolls history.  A quality seller of vintage dolls or any antique or vintage merchandise will feel obligated to mention any restoration that may have occurred, but you should still ask if it has not been mentioned specifically in the listing for the item.

Often, the original packing material for a vintage Barbie doll will be long gone by the time a collector is considering its purchase.  If you do happen upon a truly vintage Barbie doll still in its original package, you should be prepared to pay a premium price to own it.  Do some investigative work before bidding on one of these items and be sure that the seller is knowledgeable about the doll they are offering for sale.  Specifically ask the seller if this is an original or if it is a replica Barbie released to commemorate an earlier addition.

Probably the most rare vintage Barbie doll available is the original 1959 doll wearing a black and white swimming suit.  You can take a look at one of those if your travels ever take you near the Smithsonian.  They are very rare but it is possible that you will find one selling at someone's garage sale (you never know!).  There are still quite a few vintage Barbies floating around out there in peoples attics and basements waiting to be discovered by collectors.

Collecting vintage Barbies can look like a hardcore business at times, but it should be fun first of all.  Serious collectors also find themselves playing the part of serious investors at times, so caveat emptor (buyer beware) certainly applies.  Do some research and enjoy yourself as you build your collection of vintage Barbie dolls!

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Vintage Paper Dolls

by Sandy | Comments Off | Filed in Doll Collecting, Vintage Dolls

The fact that vintage paper dolls have survived through the years is a testament to how well some people take care of the items they collect.


It is refreshing to know that in today's society, when many children have very short attention spans that can only be captured by blinking and flashing video games, there are still some people who appreciate something as simple as collecting vintage paper dolls. Paper dolls are a reminder of the time when things were much simpler and people were more inclined to use their own imagination for entertainment.
OLD VINTAGE GIRL PAPER DOLL VALENTINE CARD INDIAN DRESS
OLD VINTAGE GIRL PAPER DOLL VALENTINE CARD INDIAN DRESS
Paypal   US $7.07 		Sweet Vintage Japanese Girl Paper Doll Japan VGC
Sweet Vintage Japanese Girl Paper Doll Japan VGC
Paypal   US $4.52 		FAMILY 1942 PAPER DOLLS VINTAGE ESTATE COLLECTIBLE
FAMILY 1942 PAPER DOLLS VINTAGE ESTATE COLLECTIBLE
Paypal   US $15.49
Vintage Hallmark Paper Dolls Card Ann Of England
Vintage Hallmark Paper Dolls Card Ann Of England
Paypal   US $8.99 		VINTAGE WHITMAN SUNNY MAGIC PAPER DOLL BARBIE LOT 1966
VINTAGE WHITMAN SUNNY MAGIC PAPER DOLL BARBIE LOT 1966
Paypal   US $.01 		Stay On Clothes Paper Doll Vintage 1952
Stay On Clothes Paper Doll Vintage 1952
Paypal   US $2.00
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Paper dolls originated in the time of Louis XV of France. This was during the 1700s and owning one or more of these dolls was a privilege. They were carefully collected and very well taken care of by their young owners.

In America, paper was very hard to come by and was considered a valuable commodity. For that reason, not many people owned paper dolls. As paper production techniques improve in paper became more available for common use, the dolls could be mass produced and became available to many more eventual paper doll collectors.

Most of that vintage paper dolls collected today are from the time during the Mid 20th century when they became very popular. A lot of people like to collect these as a way to look back at the fashions and famous people of an earlier time. Not all paper dolls carry the same monetary value, but collectors of the delicate paper treasures often have reasons for collecting that go beyond money.

Paper Mother and Child with Clothes for Each
Creative Commons License photo credit: perpetualplum

If you are looking to either purchase or to sell vintage paper dolls, eBay is an excellent resource to check. I have noticed over the years that sellers in certain categories seem to take a very fine interest in what they collect and put up for sale. For the most part, it seems that the people selling vintage paper dolls and vintage dolls in general on Ebay, have a real connection to the merchandise they are buying or selling. It seems to go beyond nostalgia. Sellers often will offer guarantees and seem to go above and beyond the norm as they lovingly present their treasures to potential buyers. Buyers of the vintage paper dolls on Ebay also seem to realize and share a special bond with their fellow collectors which is evidenced by their willingness to sometimes pay prices that can get a little bit high for a casual doll collector.

For the person who just wants to introduce the fun of paper dolls with a little one, there are printable paper dolls and paper doll templates available online.  But more serious collectors tend to look for specific dolls.  Tom Tierney paper dolls, Victorian paper dolls and Disney paper dolls are a few of the specific brands often searched for on the Internet in general and on Ebay in particular.

If you are not interested in purchasing vintage or antique paper dolls on Ebay, you can try to find them yourself.  They are one of the items that sometimes show up at places like estate sales, but finding them on your own is a very hit or miss proposition.  Looking for the dolls in a collectible shop is another option, but you will almost certainly pay the top "book" price.  This is a major reason that so many collectors have taken to checking Ebay before making any purchases.  There are often items that seem to slip under the radar and that can present a nice opportunity for some serious savings on hard to find items.

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